Doctor Fantasy

Fantasy trade bait

September 23, 2009|By D.R. Smith and D.R. SMITH IS A REDEYE SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR.

I may be a doctor, but in fantasy sports I play the game like a stone-cold stock broker.

On Wall Street and in fantasy sports, knowing when to buy low and sell high is key. Week 3 is perfect for pulling off this strategy. Let's look at some players you could use to make like Bernie Madoff and steal some value from other owners.

Buy low

Matt Forte, RB, Bears: There might be some panicky owners that want to bail after a 38-carries-for-84-yards start. Trade for him and watch him tear up the Seahawks on Sunday.

Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego: Gates hasn't been bad, but he's been kept out of the end zone, while other TEs have thrived. Take advantage.

Tom Brady, QB, New England: On Sunday, he was Tom-Not-Terrific. But after he finally scrapes the rust off that knee (my guess is Week 4), he should be a Top 5 QB.

Sell high

Terrell Owens, WR, Buffalo: He scored Sunday, but his production for the rest of the season will soon look as bad as his reality show's ratings.

Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia: There's entirely too much wear on B-West's tires for a full season of production.

Eli Manning, QB, N.Y. Giants: No, he and Peyton didn't switch bodies like Zac Efron and Matthew Perry in "17 Again." The 38 passes he tossed in Dallas were an anomaly.

Bears receiver checkup

Earl Bennett is Cutler's main man in Week 1, rookie Johnny Knox in Week 2. Devin Hester's been spotty, and Greg Olsen has been outscored by backup Kellen Davis. What do we make of the Bears receiving crew?

My advice: Wait and see before starting Bennett or Knox. Consider benching Hester if he doesn't come through Sunday. Keep Olsen active because he'll get his soon enough.

Locks of the week

Peyton Manning, QB, vs. Arizona: No Anthony Gonzalez, no problem against the Redbirds.

Fred Jackson, RB, vs. New Orleans: The Saints and Jackson will be marching on Sunday.